Multiple-Effect Evaporation
also known as MEE · multi-effect evaporator
In multiple-effect evaporation, steam heats the first effect, and the vapour generated there is used as the heating medium in the second effect, which operates at a lower pressure and therefore a lower boiling point. Each successive effect adds approximately one kilogram of evaporated water per kilogram of input steam, so an N-effect unit approaches an N-fold steam economy.
Why it matters in practice
The gain in steam economy is real but not free: each additional effect adds a vessel, raises the required temperature difference and increases residence time, which matters for thermally sensitive liquors. Three effects is the usual compromise for hydrometallurgical liquors.
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Reference entry GL-MULTIPLE-EFFECT-EVAPORATION. Definitions on this page describe engineering practice in hydrometallurgical process design; they are not a substitute for test work on your own material.